Beto O’Rourke wants to end the STAAR tests. Here’s why he can’t.
The Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate has said several times he will end the annual standardized tests. State and federal law make it impossible. Full Story
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![Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke speaks at a rally in Austin on Sept. 6, 2022.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Biden is calling for marijuana possession pardons. But that doesn’t mean it’ll happen in Texas.
Biden’s federal pardons will help at least 6,500 people, though most possession crimes are charged at the state level. Gov. Greg Abbott hasn’t yet said whether he’ll follow suit. Gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke was quick to support the measure. Full Story
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![People in support of de-scheduling marijuana hold flags with images of marijuana leaves in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on April 24, 2017.]()
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Gov. Greg Abbott and Beto O’Rourke accused each other of misinforming Texans during their debate. Here are the facts.
O’Rourke and Abbott accused each other of bending the truth during the only planned gubernatorial debate on Friday. Many of their claims needed context and clarification. Full Story
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![Democratic gubernatorial nominee Beto O'Rourke, left, and Gov. Greg Abbott during a debate in Edinburg on Sept. 30, 2022.]()
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Beto O’Rourke says Gov. Greg Abbott “refuses” to debate with a live audience
Abbott’s team rejected the assertion, saying that O’Rourke agreed to the audience-free debate months ago. Full Story
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![The empty auditorium at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley campus in Edinburg prior to the debate between incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Beto O'Rourke.]()
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35 family members of Uvalde shooting victims throw their support behind Beto O’Rourke ahead of debate
In a news conference ahead of the only gubernatorial debate, 35 family members of Uvalde school shooting victims said they would support O’Rourke because of Gov. Greg Abbott’s inaction on gun control measures. Full Story
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![Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke hosts a press conference in Edinburg, on Sept. 30, 2022, with parents and families of the 19 children killed at Robb Elementary in Uvalde.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune -
Abbott, O’Rourke spar over immigration, abortion and Uvalde shooting in debate
The one-hour debate took place in Edinburg. It was the only scheduled debate between the two candidates before the November election. Full Story
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![Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke, left, and Gov. Greg Abbott during a debate in Edinburg on Sept. 30, 2022.]()
Credit: Courtesy of News Nation -
Texas Democrats try to convince voters they aren’t bad for oil and gas
Candidates like Beto O’Rourke and Mike Collier say they want to work toward a cleaner energy future but aren’t looking to eliminate the energy jobs that boost Texas’ economy. Full Story
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![Oil pumpjacks in Andrews County, northeast of Kermit.]()
Credit: Jerod Foster for The Texas Tribune -
Beto O’Rourke shrugs off polling deficit, promises he won’t let down Democrats in South Texas
The Democratic nominee for governor said during The Texas Tribune Festival that he’s counting on a big turnout of voters energized by the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade. Full Story
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![Democratic nominee for governor Beto O’Rourke speaks at The Texas Tribune Festival on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.]()
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Kamala Harris to headline Texas Democratic Party fundraiser one month before midterm election
The Oct. 8 event in Austin will mark the Biden administration’s highest-profile political appearance in Texas since President Joe Biden and Harris took office. Full Story
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![U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris at an event marking the anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program at the Executive Office building in Washington, D.C., June 15, 2021.]()
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Comptroller, railroad commissioner, lieutenant governor: What do Texas state officials actually do?
For example, members of the Railroad Commission don’t deal with railroads. Here’s what the many officials elected statewide do with the power voters give them. Full Story
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![A graphic that reads, "Texas Office Glossary" above a collection of voting stickers.]()
Credit: Emily Albracht for the Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott leads Beto O’Rourke by 5 percentage points in new poll
The latest survey also gave Republican incumbents single-digit leads in two other statewide races. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick led Democrat Mike Collier by 7 points, and Attorney General Ken Paxton registered a 5-point advantage over Democrat Rochelle Garza. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott, left, and democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke are major contenders for the upcoming governor race in Texas.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune -
Mysterious group targeting Gov. Greg Abbott reserves $6 million in TV ads ahead of November election
The sudden TV spending by Coulda Been Worse LLC comes as Abbott battles for a third term against Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke. Full Story
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Not so fast: Greg Abbott, Texas Republicans face a complex election landscape after abortion ruling, Uvalde shooting
Both Gov. Greg Abbott and Beto O’Rourke hope to define the election on issues viewed as favorable to their own parties. Full Story
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![Rita Economos and her 4-year-old June prepare their vote in a booth at the Lochwood Branch Library in Dallas on Feb. 25, 2022, the last day of early voting in the Texas primary. Dallas County voting centers’ hours were extended till 10 P.M. on the last day of early voting to make up for early closures due to icy weather.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Greg Abbott to launch television ad targeting Beto O’Rourke over police funding
The ad is based on O’Rourke’s 2020 comments that he appreciates protesters bringing up defunding certain line items “that have overmilitarized our police.” But at recent town hall meetings, O’Rourke has said he does not support defunding the police. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a news conference with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, left, and Speaker Dennis Bonnen before signing a Texas Backs the Blue Pledge at the Austin Police Association on Sept. 10, 2020.]()
Credit: Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via USA TODAY NETWORK -
TribCast: Greg Abbott and Beto O’Rourke enter the homestretch
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with James and Patrick about the race for governor and other campaigns that have grabbed their interest. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott, left, and Democratic candidate for governor Beto O'Rourke.]()
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Beto O’Rourke to lay down initial $10 million on fall TV ads
The expenditure, which the Democrat’s campaign announced Friday, comes as GOP Gov. Greg Abbott has dominated the airwaves for over two weeks. Full Story
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![Democratic candidate for governor Beto O'Rourke speaks at a rally in El Paso to kick off a 49-day campaign trip through Texas on July 19, 2022.]()
Credit: Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune -
Beto O’Rourke confronts a formidable GOP firewall as he woos rural Texans
Despite its dwindling population, rural Texas has consistently helped protect GOP dominance in statewide races, even as Democratic support grows in the state’s populous metro centers and suburbs. Full Story
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![Gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke spekas to attendees at a town hall in Abilene on Aug. 16, 2022.]()
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Gov. Greg Abbott, Beto O’Rourke agree to debate Sept. 30 in Edinburg
O’Rourke wants more debates, but Abbott has indicated this is the only one he is willing to do before the November election. Full Story
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![From left: Gov. Greg Abbott in Corpus Christi and Beto O'Rourke in Fort Worth at their election night watch parties on March 1, 2022.]()
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Beto O’Rourke pauses campaign events while recovering from bacterial infection
O’Rourke said he is resting at home in El Paso and will be back on the road “as soon as I am able.” Full Story
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![Gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke hugs a supporter during the Texas Democratic Convention at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas on July 15, 2022.]()
Credit: Kylie Cooper/The Texas Tribune -
Families of the Uvalde shooting victims denounce Gov. Greg Abbott’s inaction on gun reform
The governor has made a vocal enemy in the families of Robb Elementary shooting victims. They are demanding a special legislative session to reach a compromise on the minimum age to purchase semi-automatic rifles. Full Story
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![Families of the victims of the Robb Elementary shooting wait to speak during a March For Our Lives protest at the state Capitol on Aug. 27, 2022.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy for The Texas Tribune
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